Chicago City Wire

City of Prospect Heights Mayor and City Council met Jan. 8.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL – At 6:32 PM, Mayor Patrick Ludvigsen called to order the January 8, 2024 Prospect Heights City Council meeting at the City Hall Council Chambers, 8 North Elmhurst Road, Prospect Heights, Illinois 60070. 

Deputy Clerk Schultheis read the preamble to the meeting. 

City Clerk Prisiajniouk called roll. A quorum was present. 

ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT – Mayor Ludvigsen, City Clerk Prisiajniouk, Treasurer Tibbits Aldermen - Cameron, Anderson, Morgan-Adams, Dash, Dolick 

OTHER OFFICIALS PRESENT - City Administrator Wade, Assistant City Administrator Falcone, Director of Building and Development Peterson, Public Works Director Roscoe, Police Chief Caponigro, Assistant Finance Director Tannehill, Attorney O'Driscoll, Digital Communications Technician Colvin, Deputy Clerk Schultheis. 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Led by Mayor Ludvigsen 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES 

A.December 11, 2023 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – Alderman Dolick moved to approve the December 11, 2023 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes; seconded by Alderman Morgan-Adams. There was unanimous approval. 

ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES - Cameron, Anderson, Morgan-Adams, Dash, Dolick 

NAYS - None 

ABSENT - None 

Motion carried 5 - 0 

PRESENTATIONS - None 

APPOINTMENTS, CONFIRMATIONS, AND PROCLAMATIONS - None 

PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA MATTERS (Five Minute Time Limit) 

TH Tuntland - 1581 Cove - said that in 2017 (later corrected to 2007) there were three dreams for residents on the west side of the City - fix the issue of the flooding road of Willow, lack of a sidewalk from the railroad station, and the high cost of water from Illinois- American. She said that two have been accomplished - Willow Road flooding and the Wolf Road sidewalk. She said that the price of Illinois-American water remains an issue. She suggested the addition of dredging the lake to lower the water levels, and asked if the sidewalk on Wolf Road would be wider enough to accommodate bicycles and walkers. She also wanted to know who was maintaining the sidewalks. 

Water and waste water services is costing too much, she said, especially for eastside residents. She said that Illinois-American has different rates for R1 and R2 housing. She said that in 2010, the rate was $26 for one person monthly for sewer and water. She said that now the rates have been separated and there are now meters. She said that in 2017 the rate was doubled, and that Illinois-American said that the cost increase was for infrastructure. She noted that the City established a water committee in 2017 to find options to bring down the cost of water. She said that none of the suggestions of the committee were "exercised." She said that in 2022, more increases for infrastructure, but the improvements are being made in southern Illinois. She said that the red flag is that many residents have to come home with cases of water to keep from paying the high prices of Illinois-American water. She asked that the City "resurrect" the Water Committee documentation. 

CONSENT AGENDA - 

A.R-24-01 Staff Memo and Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of a Back-up Generator for Storm Water Management Through Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Program for a Quote not to Exceed $96,000 

B.R-24-03 Staff Memo and Resolution Regarding the Transfer of Property from the City of Prospect Heights Pursuant to the Local Government Property Transfer Act - Alderman Morgan-Adams moved for an omnibus motion to approve R-24-01 Staff Memo and Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of a Back-up Generator for Storm Water Management Through Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Program for a Quote not to Exceed $96,000 and R-24-03 Staff Memo and Resolution Regarding the Transfer of property from the City of Prospect Heights Pursuant to the Local Government Property Transfer Act; seconded by Alderman Anderson. There was unanimous approval. 

ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES - Anderson, Morgan-Adams, Dash, Dolick, Cameron

NAYS -  None 

ABSENT - None

Motion carried 5 - 0 

OLD BUSINESS - None 

NEW BUSINESS 

A.Request for 1st Read Waiver O-24-01 Staff Memo and Ordinance for Special Use for a Sit Down Restaurant at 1313 N Rand Road Unit A (Peri Peri) (1st Reading) - Alderman Dolick moved to approve the Waiver of First Reading O-24-01 Staff Memo and Ordinance for Special Use for a Sit Down Restaurant at 1313 N Rand Road Unit A (Peri Peri) (1st Reading); seconded by Alderman Morgan-Adams. There was unanimous approval. 

ROLL CALL VOTE: Morgan-Adams, Dash, Dolick, Cameron., Anderson 

AYES - None

NAYS - None

ABSENT - None

Motion carried 5 - 0 

B.O-24-01 Staff Memo and Ordinance for Special Use for a Sit Down Restaurant at 1313 N Rand Road Unit A (Peri Peri) (2nd Reading) – Alderman Dolick moved to approve O-24- 01 Staff Memo and Ordinance for Special Use for a Sit Down Restaurant at 1313 N Rand Road Unit A (Peri Peri) (2nd Reading); seconded by Alderman Morgan-Adams. There was unanimous approval. 

ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES - Dash, Dolick, Cameron., Anderson, Morgan-Adams

NAYS - None 

ABSENT - None 

Motion carried 5 - 0 

Alderman Anderson asked what kind of restaurant Peri Peri would be? Would there be video gaming and alcohol? 

Director Peterson said that Bhavin Patel and Nikunj Patel are the owners of the shopping center and operate the Peri Peri franchise. There will be no gaming and no alcohol. 

Alderman Cameron asked if there were Kid's menus? Bhavin Patel said that typically it is the flavor that is chosen that would determine mildness of the spices for the children, or no spice. He also said that the menu options are not fried, so they are healthier. C.Request for 1st Read Waiver O-24-02 Staff Memo and Ordinance Establishing Regulations and Adopting a City Policy for Unscheduled Intercity Buses and Discharge of Passengers to Ensure the Health, Safety and Welfare of Residents and Visitors to the City of Prospect Heights (1st Reading) - Alderman Morgan-Adams moved to waive first reading for O-24-02 Staff Memo and Ordinance Establishing Regulations and Adopting a City Policy for Unscheduled Intercity Buses and Discharge of Passengers to Ensure the Health, Safety and Welfare of Residents and Visitors to the City of Prospect Heights (1st Reading); seconded by Alderman Anderson. There was unanimous approval. 

ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES - Dolick, Cameron., Anderson, Morgan-Adams, Dash

NAYS - None

ABSENT - None 

Motion carried 5 - 0 

D.O-24-02 Staff Memo and Ordinance Establishing Regulations and Adopting a City Policy for Unscheduled Intercity Buses and Discharge of Passengers to Ensure the Health, Safety and Welfare of Residents and Visitors to the City of Prospect Heights (2nd Reading) Alderman Anderson moved to approve O-24-02 Staff Memo and Ordinance Establishing Regulations and Adopting a City Policy for Unscheduled Intercity Buses and Discharge of Passengers to Ensure the Health, Safety and Welfare of Residents and Visitors to the City of Prospect Heights (2nd Reading); seconded by Alderman Morgan-Adams. There was unanimous approval. 

ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES - Cameron., Anderson, Morgan-Adams, Dash, Dolick

NAYS - None 

ABSENT - None

Motion carried 5 - 0

E.R-24-02 Staff Memo and Resolution Authorizing City of Prospect Heights to Fund Local Share of Construction, Construction Engineering and Railroad Crossing Work for Wolf Road Sidewalk Improvement, Palatine Frontage to Edward Road, in the Amount of $478,873.20 – Alderman Dolick moved to approve R-24-02 Staff Memo and Resolution Authorizing City of Prospect Heights to Fund Local Share of Construction, Construction Engineering and Railroad Crossing Work for Wolf Road Sidewalk Improvement, Palatine Frontage to Edward Road, in the Amount of $478,873.20; seconded by Alderman Cameron. 

Discussion followed. City Administrator Wade said that this project took several years and a number of grants, so that the City is only paying its share of 12.5% of a $4million dollar project. He noted that the City had worked with Cook County Commissioner Scott Britton obtaining an Invest in Cook grant that provided the Phase I engineering, as well as RTA Access to Transit Grant for the leverage for Federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Grant, the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program Grant. He applauded the work of the Staff to search for and apply to these competitive grants. 

He noted that the sidewalk is five feet wide as per standard that allows for people to pass. The hope is that children on bicycles will be able to use the sidewalk along with walkers. It was designed for the safety of the residents. There will be a January letting and construction is set to start in March or April, with completion in 2024. It is a 1.23-mile long sidewalk. 

Assistant City Administrator Falcone said that the City also had obtained a Community Funding Grant through Congressman Brad Schneider. The grant was for $1.1 million. There was unanimous approval. 

ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES - Anderson, Morgan-Adams, Dash, Dolick, Cameron

NAYS - None

ABSENT - None 

Motion carried 5 - 0 

Alderman Cameron asked if the question that TH Tuntland had asked could be addressed, and that is, "Who will maintain the sidewalks?" 

City Administrator Wade said that part of the grant conditions is that the City maintain the sidewalk for plowing. Public Works will clear the streets first during a weather event, and then the sidewalks. The sidewalks are not salted during a snowstorm. Residents are also allowed to shovel the sidewalks around them. 

F.R-24-04 Staff Memo and Resolution Authorizing a Civil Engineering Services Agreement with Gewalt Hamilton Associates, Inc. for Construction Engineering and Construction Staking Services for the Wolf Road Sidewalk Project in the Amount of $274,096.00 – Alderman Anderson moved to approve R-24-04 Staff Memo and Resolution Authorizing a Civil Engineering Services Agreement with Gewalt Hamilton Associates, Inc. for Construction Engineering and Construction Staking Services for the Wolf Road Sidewalk Project in the Amount of $274,096.00; seconded by Alderman Cameron. There was unanimous approval. 

ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES - Morgan-Adams, Dash, Dolick, Cameron, Anderson 

NAYS - None

ABSENT - None 

Motion carried 5 - 0 

STAFF, ELECTED OFFICIALS, AND COMMISSION REPORTS 

Police Chief Caponigro - said that Police Department would be cancelling the Police Award Ceremony because of the impending inclement weather. It will be rescheduled at a later date. 

-he said that residents should winterize their cars and make certain to have emergency winter kits in the cars. 

Director of Building and Development Peterson - said that the January 24th PZBA Meeting will feature a discussion regarding chickens in Prospect Heights, and possible changes to the regulations to keep chickens. 

City Administrator Wade - said that there will be a Tuesday, January 9th workshop at the Prospect Heights Library - open to all residents regarding Winter Safety. The meeting us a12:30 PM and will be hosted by Cook County Commissioner Britton and State Representative Canty, as well as Nicor and ComEd. The City will have Sgt. Deol from the Police Department, Building and Development Director Peterson, Mayor Ludvigsen, and City Administrator Wade. 

APPROVAL OF WARRANTS A. Approval of Expenditures 

General Fund $97,112.67 

Motor Fuel Tax Fund $0.00 

Tourism District $2,994.92 

Solid Waste Fund $33,731.77 

Drug Enforcement Agency Fund $5,295.18 

Palatine Road Tax Increment Financing $0.00 

Special Service Area #1 $0.00 

Special Service Area #2 $0.00 

Special Service Area #3 $0.00 

Special Service Area #4 $0.00 

Special Service Area #5 $0.00 

Special Service Area - Constr #6 (Water Main) $0.00 

Special Service Area - #8 Levee Wall #37 $3,229.00 

Capital Improvements $11,932.98 

Special Service Area - Debt #6 $0.00 

Road Construction Debt $605.00 

Water Fund $30,195.63

Parking Fund $298.77 

Sanitary Sewer Fund $17,856.90 

Road/Building Bond Escrow $0.00 

TOTAL  $203,252.82 

Wire Payments 

12/29/2023 PAYROLL $177,882.92 

TOTAL WARRANT $381,135.74 

City Clerk Prisiajniouk read the warrants. 

Alderman Dolick moved to approve the warrants as presented; seconded by Alderman Anderson to include a TOTAL of $203,252.82, 12/29/2023 Payroll of $177,882.92 and a TOTAL WARRANT of $381,135.74. There was unanimous approval. 

ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES - Dash, Dolick, Cameron, Anderson, Morgan-Adams

NAYS - None 

ABSENT - None

Motion carried 5 - 0  

PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA MATTERS (Five Minute Time Limit) - None 

EXECUTIVE SESSION – (No Items) 

ADJOURNMENT – At 7:01 PM, Alderman Dolick moved to Adjourn; seconded by Alderman Cameron. There was unanimous approval. 

VOICE VOTE: 

Motion carried 5 - 0 

All Ayes, No Nays

https://www.prospect-heights.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_01082024-1390